Behavioral Science 1 - Mandatory homework PDF

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COURSE- BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH {PUBH 5120} ASSIGNMENT NUMBER- 1

1. What is the main argument or thesis proposed by the authors in this article? ANSWER: The main argument proposed by the author of this argument is that, the problem of health inequity still persists in the health outcomes of a population or group despite many efforts to improve the healthcare. This problem persist as a result of the model implemented by many health care systems which, makes use of the biomedical model approach which focuses, purely on biological factors, hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical technology to achieve its goal leaving out, the role of social determinants that influences health outcomes of a population. 2. The article specifically talks about a reorientation of a health care sector. What is the author’s description of a reoriented health sector? ANSWER: The picture of the author’s reoriented health sector is one which takes health equity as a central goal and, in so doing engages with the entire range of social determinants of health. This action of health implies both the leadership of the health care sector influencing a wide range of social and economic policy field and, a stewardship function in supporting the health- influencing policy and practice development of other sectors.

3. The article also discusses a biomedical model that is currently overloaded. What are the arguments to support this assertion? What solution did the author propose to remedy the situation?

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ANSWER: The arguments to support this assertion is evident in health care spending trends in which some countries spend between 8% and 10.5% of its gross domestic product on health care. The extent of these spending increases and the often relatively small health gains spread unevenly across groups. Also, this renders the biomedical model expensive. The solution proposed by the author is balancing the medical imagination with a sociological one i.e. to invest in a rational proportion on actions that focuses on social determinants of health. 4. State 4 things or factors that the authors think are necessary to achieve the change in health care systems that they are advocating. ANSWER: a. To focus on community based preventive health care provision rather than individual curative care provision. b. Appropriately skilled workforce with a knowledge of and confidence in social determinants, population health approaches and approaches to achieving health equity. c. Strong global, national and local leadership d. Strengthening of the most basic information systems.

5. What is the major disadvantage suggested by the authors for viewing a population’s health solely based on average performance indicator?

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ANSWER: The major disadvantage proposed by the author is that often, health care sectors that apply only the biomedical approach do not take into consideration all the social determinants of the patients’ health which is a major factor in defining the production of better population health outcomes.

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